TheNewsGuru

Tag: EU

  • Alleged Human Rights Violation: Presidency replies UK, US, EU, Soyinka

    Alleged Human Rights Violation: Presidency replies UK, US, EU, Soyinka

    The Nigerian Government has told the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union to stop interfering in its affairs as Nigeria is a sovereign country.

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, stated this while responding to a question on the allegations of human rights abuses by the Federal Government with a focus on those in detention, including the convener of #RevolutionNow movement, Mr Omoyele Sowore.

    Adesina said the countries and organisations should rather address the issues in their respective domains.

    “We are not answerable to either the U.S. or the UK or the EU; we are Nigeria, a sovereign country,” Adesina told Channels TV.

    He added, “Those countries and entities have issues of their own; let them deal with their issues. Let Nigeria also deal with her internal issues. We are not answerable to them.”

    In his reaction to agitations concerning the re-arrest of Omoyele Sowore, Adesina insisted that the criticism was from those he described as a minority compared to the large population in the country.

    He stressed, “The President knows the truth about what is happening in the country, so there is no need for any worry or agitation.

    “But the question is who are these Nigerians and how many are they among about 200 million people?

    “Who are they? A tiny but vocal minority who will always complain. If they mistakenly get to heaven they will complain about conditions in heaven.”

    On Professor Soyinka’s comments, the President’s spokesman said, “If there are genuine issues, they would always be looked into.”

    “We respect Professor Soyinka. You don’t have too many of them in the country nor even on the continent.

    “Professor Soyinka is an avatar, he is well respected but do you know one thing, Professor Soyinka’s opinion will still be his opinion. It will be considered and if there are things to act on, they will be acted on,” he added.

  • Details of new Brexit deal Boris Johnson struck with EU

    Details of new Brexit deal Boris Johnson struck with EU

    The European Union has agreed a new Brexit deal with Britain.

    Here are the initial details.

    Northern Ireland

    Northern Ireland remains in the United Kingdom’s customs territory but all EU procedures will apply to goods arriving there in this complex system. There will be no customs checks on the island of Ireland – they will be done in ports.

    For goods crossing from Great Britain to Northern Ireland that are deemed to be staying there, no EU tariff will apply.

    No EU tariffs would be paid on personal goods carried by travellers across the Irish frontier and for a second category of exempted goods that can only be for immediate consumption rather than subsequent processing.

    An EU-UK body called the Joint Committee will define this second group of goods more precisely after Brexit.

    The UK will be allowed to reimburse excise duties for companies in Northern Ireland as long as it does not undercut EU state aid rules.

    Northern Ireland will be able to benefit from future UK trade deals around the world. As long as the goods do not cross to Ireland and the EU’s single market, only UK customs tariffs will apply.

    CONSENT
    The Northern Irish assembly will have to give consent after Brexit for the region’s continued alignment with the EU regulatory regime.

    Four years after Brexit, the assembly will have to decide by simple majority of those taking part in the vote whether to apply it. If the vote is positive, the system is extended for another four years.

    If another vote then is positive with cross-community support, the system is extended by another eight years until another vote.

    If consent is not granted, there is a two-year cooling off period during which sides need to find a new solution to prevent the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland.

    If the regional assembly does not sit or vote, the system continues as the default position.

    Unlike the “backstop” solution in the original deal, rejected by the British parliament, this system would not be replaced by a new free-trade deal between Britain and the EU. That marks a big concession from the EU side.

    FUTURE TRADE DEAL, LEVEL-PLAYING FIELD

    Sides aim at an ambitious free-trade agreement after Brexit with no tariffs and unlimited quotas. It comes together with a statement that sides will uphold high standards on environment, climate, workers’ rights and other rules.

    REST REMAINS AS IN PREVIOUS AGREEMENT
    Previously agreed settlement on citizens’ rights after Brexit and Britain’s divorce bill stay as they were. That also goes for a transition period of 14 months until the end of 2020, which can be extended by one year or two years.

  • 62m Nigerians lack potable water, says EU

    The European Union (EU) on Wednesday said that 62 million Nigerians were currently living without access to clean water.

    Mr Ketil Karlsen, EU’s Head of Delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), disclosed this at the inauguration of a solar-powered motorised borehole in Lo-Gwom Kwi community, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was at the instance of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and funded by the European Union (EU).

    NAN also reports that the project tagged “Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme (WSSSRP) III”, is aimed at improving access to water, sanitation, and hygiene in the rural communities in the state.

    Karlsen, who described the situation as “worrisome”, also said that 27 per cent of the total population of the country travelled long distances daily to get potable water.

    He also decried the high rate of open defecation in the country, saying that 47 million Nigerians defecated in the open.

    “Sixty-two million people in Nigeria continue to live without access to improved water and spend more than 30 minutes travelling to fetch water.

    “Similarly, 47 million Nigerians defecate in the open.

    “This is a very worrisome situation that needs urgent action,” he said.

    The EU chief also said that 45, 000 under-five children died annually from various diseases caused by poor or little access to water, sanitation, and hygiene.

    According to him, only 5.5 per cent of schools and 5.2 per cent of health facilities have basic, gender-sensitive water, sanitation, and hygiene services in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    Karlsen said that the situation compelled the EU to invest heavily on improving water supply and sanitation in the country in the past five years.

    Earlier, Mr Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, expressed appreciation to the state government for embracing the project and ensuring timely release of counterpart funds.

    Hawkins, who urged the beneficiaries of the facilities to guard against vandalism, further advised them to find local solutions to the problem of open defection and improve on their personal hygiene and sanitation.

    “Use the water we have provided to drink, cook and wash your hands so as to remain healthy at all times.

    “Look after these facilities for your benefit and that of future generation. Ensure you maintain and sustain them,” he advised.

    Inaugurating the project, Gov. Simon Lalong, said that the intervention would go a long way toward addressing lack of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, particularly in rural communities.

    Represented by Mr. Richard Tokma, the Secretary to the state government, Lalong said the partnership was in furtherance of his administration’s commitment to making potable water available to all parts of the state.

    “This partnership is indeed a demonstration of our commitment and desire to promote the well-being of our people through the provision of clean water and improved sanitation and hygiene,” he said.

  • PDP reacts to EU final report on 2019 elections

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended the European Union (EU) on its final report on the 2019 general election.

    The party made the commendation in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, on Sunday in Abuja.

    Ologbondiyan lauded the union for stating the facts on the elections.

    He said that the fresh revelation in the EU report further vindicated the position of PDP and millions of Nigerians on the elections.

    Ologbondiyan noted that the revelations of manipulations as detailed in the EU report further validates queries by majority of Nigerians on the elections.

    He said that the world could now see that the PDP had not been crying wolf in insisting that the election was outrightly rigged with the alleged cancellation of millions of PDP votes.

    “Nigerians are still in shock over the revelations by EU of how about 2.8 million votes were deliberately “cancelled without sufficient accountability” and how several returning officers gave no reason for the cancellations.

    He said more shocking was the distortions and “a large discrepancy of 1.66 million more registered voters, as announced by INEC on Jan. 14, compared to those announced by state returning officers during the collation of presidential results.”

    Ologbondiyan said that Nigerians witnessed, on national TV, how states returning officers were unable to reconcile result figures due to heavy manipulations.

    He said that the EU report further exposed how ballot boxes were compromised, how essential materials were missing, how “voter register was not always ticked as required” and how “manual authentication procedures were not correctly followed”.

    “The report on result forms did not reconcile with result forms and were not publicly posted; result forms and smart card readers were not packed in tamper-evident envelops as required,” he said.

    Ologbondiyan said that the report also exposed how security forces were used to intimidate voters as well as aid violence against PDP members.

    “Moreover, the report has further reinforced the confidence of millions of Nigerians in our collective expectation of justice in the quest to retrieve our stolen Presidential mandate at the tribunal.

    “The PDP condemns such crime against our nation aimed at sabotaging the sanctity of our electoral processes and to frustrate the choice of Nigerians in a presidential election.

    “Those behind this must be brought to book and made to face the wrath of the law.

    “Our great party urges Nigerians to remain calm as the truth about the election continues to unfold while justice takes its course on the matter.”

  • Presidential tribunal: EU Mission says not aware of INEC server

    Presidential tribunal: EU Mission says not aware of INEC server

    The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) in Nigeria on yesterday virtually spoke on the petition filed by Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party – it said it was unaware of any server used by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    Briefing newsmen in Abuja on the EU EOM’s report, the Deputy Chief Observer for the EU, Hannah Roberts said the mission knew nothing about INEC server that was allegedly used to transmit results of the 2019 general elections.

    She said the Mission relied on results that were released by INEC. She categorically said the mission was unaware of an INEC server by which results were transmitted during the election.

    “The EU had to rely on INEC’s explanation in result transmission,” she said.

    The main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had claimed that an INEC server was used to transmit results of the 23 February presidential election and at the election tribunal, has obtained an order to examine the server.

    INEC in its counter-affidavit at the tribunal dismissed the existence of any server, saying that results were manually collated across the country.

    Maria Arena, EU Chief Observer had earlier presented a final report with recommendations for electoral reforms.

    She said the EU EOM had 91 observers on ground for the Presidential and National Assembly elections across Nigeria.

    Arena added that 73 observers were deployed for the Governorship and State House of Assembly election while only 20 observers were used for the supplementary elections.

    Following its observation mission, she said the EU EOM had 30 recommendations on how to improve future electoral processes in Nigeria.

    “The mission concluded that the systemic failings seen in the elections, and the relatively low levels of voter participation, show the need for fundamental electoral reform.”

    The EU report prioritised seven recommendations of the 30, one of which was that Nigeria should strengthen INEC procedures for the collation of results to improve integrity and confidence in electoral outcomes.

    Another recommendation was that electoral tribunals cover pre-election cases in order to improve access to remedy and to avoid petitions being taken to different courts at the same time.

    However, Festus Keyamo, spokesman, All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, who addressed newsmen afterwards, faulted the EU EOM for not coming to a conclusion in its report.

    “The result reflects the overall wishes of Nigerians. That was the report by so many observers. If you are an observer, you should come to a definitive conclusion. Don’t be dodgy about it, don’t run away from that fact because we have 120,000 polling units across the country and in all their report I don’t think they discussed at most 500 polling units.

    “If you observed certain anomalies, they could not have been more than 500 or 1000 polling units and if you do observe anomalies in those polling units, how does that substantially affect results coming from 120,000 polling units?

    “So it is not enough for you discuss the anomalies.They must discuss the overall results coming from the entire country and whether it did reflect the wishes of the people. This is what we want to know because they have problems in the US elections, there are problems in the EU and even UK elections.

    “For Christ sake, we need a detailed analysis to come to a definitive conclusion about the overall result of the election,” he said

  • BREAKING: EU final report knocks INEC, parties on 2019 polls

    BREAKING: EU final report knocks INEC, parties on 2019 polls

    The European Union Election Observation Mission has knocked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and political parties for their actions in the last general elections.

    EU noted there were shortcomings in INEC’s operations while leading political parties were at fault for not controlling their supporters who unleashed violence on electorates.

    The EU EOM Chief Observer, Maria Arena, said this on Saturday in Abuja at a news conference on the release of the final report of the 2019 General Elections.

    Arena who said the EU final report contained 30 recommendations to improve future electoral processes in Nigeria, said there was need to address systemic failure in the elections.

    The Chief Observer said that the mission also observed that there was relatively low level of voter participation which she said showed the need for fundamental electoral reform.

    “Such reform needs political leadership that is dedicated to the rights of Nigerian citizens, and an inclusive process of national dialogue involving state institutions, parties, civil society and the media.

    “This needs to be urgently undertaken to allow time for debate, legislative changes and implementation in advance of the next elections,” she said.

    She, however, noted that the elections were competitive, parties were able to campaign and civil society enhanced accountability.

    She said the EU EOM observed that the leading parties were at fault in not preventing acts of violence and intimidation by their supporters.

    According to her, out of the 30 recommendations by the mission priorities were given to seven.

    This, she said included call to strengthen Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) procedures for the collation of results to improve integrity and confidence in electoral outcomes.

    She noted that the mission also called for the establishment of requirement in law for full results transparency, with data made easily accessible to the public.

    According to her, the mission stressed the need for considerable strengthening of lNEC’s organisational and operational capacity, as well as its internal communication.

    She added that the EU EOM, called on the inter-agency body responsible for electoral security to work more transparently and inclusively, with regular consultations with political parties and civil society.

    She said that the mission also recommended the introduction of a legal requirement for political parties to have a minimum representation of women among candidates.

    The mission, she said also stressed the need for electoral tribunals to also cover pre-election cases in order to improve access to remedy and to avoid petitions being taken to different courts at the same time.

    She said that there was the need to reform the licensing system for the broadcast media to provide for media pluralism and diversity in all of Nigeria’s states.

    The regional body made 30 recommendations to INEC, saying their implementation will contribute to the country’s electoral development [Details of the recommendation to be published on TNG today].

    Recall that INEC, has promised to ensure the implementation recommendations by the European Union Election Observation Mission on the 2019 general elections.

    Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu gave this assurance on Friday after a meeting with the EU officials in Abuja.

    He thanked them for their support, noting that the EU has been part of Nigerias progress towards democratic consolidation since 1999.

     

  • PDP urges EU to sustain election monitoring in Nigeria

    PDP urges EU to sustain election monitoring in Nigeria

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the European Union (EU) and other international communities to continue to monitor electoral process in Nigeria.

    PDP’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Mr Yemi Akinwonmi, made the call when he received a delegation of EU Elections Observation Mission at the party’s Presidential Campaign Office on Friday in Abuja.

    Akinwonmi said that continued observation of Nigeria’s elections by the international community was key to the survival of its democracy.

    “We will still continue to invite you. You have a lot of role to play in the survival of our democracy.

    “Remember that whatever happens to Nigeria affects other African countries. We are almost back in the dark days of military dictatorship.

    “The survival of our democracy lies on EU and other international communities.

    “If you are able to do your observation very well and give good recommendations, our democracy will live on.

    “But if you leave us alone, generation coming after us may not see democracy,” he said.

    He said that the party would show to the whole world what happened during the last general elections at the Presidential Electoral Petition Tribunal.

    Akinwonmi urged the EU to also beam search light on what would be happening in the judiciary during the proceedings at election petitions tribunals, describing the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

    He decried what he described as intimidation of opposition and lack of respect for democratic tenets in Nigeria.

    Earlier, EU Chief Observer, Maria Arena, said the delegation was at the party’s headquarters ahead of public presentation of the mission’s report on the 2019 elections.

    Arena said that the report had about 30 recommendations on how to improve Nigeria’s electoral process.

    The chief observer, who did not disclosed the recommendations, said the objective of the report was to improve on the electoral process.

    On principles needed to develop the country’s electoral process, she said that political will by all stakeholders was important.

    She also stressed the need to start preparation for elections on time and keep to the rules as well as ensure inclusiveness, especially for Nigeria to have more women representation in elective positions.

    “A society without the representation of women is lacking. It is important for Nigeria society to carry women along.

    “We have some countries in Africa that have made a bold statement in this regard.”

    Arena said that all recommendations by the union were achievable.

  • EU donates laptops, smartphones to corpers

    EU donates laptops, smartphones to corpers

    The European Union (EU) has announced plan to donate laptops and smartphones to members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports only NYSC members who worked during the 2019 general elections in Nigeria will benefit from the EU donation.

    The laptops and smartphones are equipments the EU used for monitoring the 2019 elections in the country.

    The equipments also include printers that the EU would be donating to appreciate corps members who worked as ad-hoc staff or who did voter education work.

    “The EU Delegation to Nigeria wants to donate the items used by the EU Election Observation Mission during its assignment in the country to deserving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, in recognition of their contribution and sacrifice in the just-concluded elections,” the EU said.

    According to the Union, corps members who participated in voter education activities or served as ad hoc staff, and wish to receive any of the items, should send a message on Twitter or tag the EU on Instagram @euinnigeria, using the hashtag #EU4DemocracyNG.

    The corps members are expected to attach photos of themselves in the field as ad-hoc staff or voter education volunteer.

    “Also add a video of no more than 30 seconds, saying why you chose to volunteer in this process,” said the EU.

    Deadline for entries is Wednesday, April 3, 2019.

  • EU congratulates Buhari on re-election

    The European Union (EU) has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election.

    A statement by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, to the president on Saturday, said the Union expressed willingness to work with his administration.

    Recall that President Buhari was declared the winner of the February 23 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Below is the statement:

    EUROPEAN UNION CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT BUHARI ON RE-ELECTION; SEEKS INCREASED COOPERATION ON BILATERAL AND INTERNATIONAL MATTERS

    The European Union has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and expressed willingness to work with his government.

    In a letter dated March 22, 2019, and jointly signed by Donald Tusk for the European Council and Jean-Claude Juncker for the European Commission, the Union said.

    “On behalf of the European Union, we would like to congratulate you on your re-election as the President of Nigeria.

    “We look forward to your leadership in strengthening democracy and uniting the country in line with the principles and spirit of the 2019 Abuja Peace Accord, and the EU is willing to work with your government to follow up on the recommendations of our Election Observation Mission.”

    The European Union also reiterated Nigeria’s important position in world affairs and the Union especially

    “What happens in Nigeria matters to the rest of the world, including to Europe. Your commitment to an inclusive government offers an opportunity to take Nigeria forward in a way that meets your objectives of strengthening the economy, fighting corruption and improving security.

    “The European Union has always partnered with Nigeria and its people. We look forward to continued and increased cooperation on bilateral and international matters,” the statement said.

    The Union wished President Buhari more success in promoting peace and prosperity for all Nigerians as he enters the new mandate.

    Femi Adesina
    Special Adviser to the President
    (Media and Publicity)
    March 23, 2019

  • Bauchi supplementary polls: Dogara writes ICC, US, EU, UK

    …Reveals plot by FG, Bauchi govt, security agents to unleash violence on Bauchi citizenry

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has alerted the International Criminal Court, United States, United Kindom and the European Union governments on a plot by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Security Agencies and Bauchi State Government to unleash violence on innocent citizens of Bauchi State.

    In a letter written to the Ambassadors of US, UK, EU and the Prosecutor of the ICC dated March 22, 2019, Hon Dogara said verifiable information gathered revealed that a directive has been issued to security personnel on March 21, 2019 to unleash violence, rig the supplementary election in the state at all cost, even if they have to kill to achieve their nefarious intentions.

    The letter read in part, “I will like to bring to your attention, the directive given to security personnel on March 21, 2019 to unleash violence, rig the election at all cost even if they have to kill to achieve their nefarious intentions. This can be verified from some patriotic security agents who received the above orders from their bosses yesterday.

    “Therefore, I write to draw the attention of the United States authorities to this murderous order given to the security agents in Bauchi state to kill innocent citizens. Should any person in the State lose his life tomorrow in consequence of this fraud called supplementary elections, the responsibility must rest squarely on the shoulders of the following individuals and institution; namely:

    1. Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar of Bauchi state whose desperation knows no bounds

    2. Bauchi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ibrahim Abdullahi

    3. Commissioner of Police Bauchi State

    4. Director, Department of State Services Bauchi State

    5. All security personnel who obey the illegal murderous order to kill innocent citizens.”

    In the letter, which was also copied to the United Kingdom, European Union and Internatiinal Criminal Court, titled “Plot to Precipitate Violence, incite political killings in Bauchi State”, Hon Dogara added that they are already compiling incidences of political killings perpetrated by thugs hired and armed by Bauchi state Government before, during and after the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections and March 9th, Governorship and State Assemblies elections.

    He explained, “The supplementary elections follows the “inconclusive” governorship elections held on March 9, 2019.

    “Collation of results for Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area has been stalled by the Nigerian authorities, which presupposes that INEC, suspends the supplementary elections pending the completion of the collation exercise as provided for by the Electoral Act and INEC’s Election Guidelines and Regulations.

    “The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Bauchi State, Ibrahim Abdullahi, working in concert with the Governor of Bauchi state, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar and security agencies have perfected a plan to announce rigged results and in the process use security agencies and their paid political thugs to unleash unprecedented violence on the people of the State with reckless abandon.

    “Your Excellency, may wish to recall that similar violence was unleashed in Rivers state recently by military personnel, Police and hired political thugs leading to maiming of scores of people and destruction of lives and property of innocent citizens.

    “Already, hundreds of security personnel and hired political thugs have been deployed and directed to threaten, intimidate and even kill people in order to rig the election at all cost for the incumbent Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar.

    “We are already compiling incidences of killings perpetrated by thugs hired and armed by Bauchi state Government before, during and after the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections and March 9th, Governorship and State Assemblies elections.”